Abington Board Of Commissioners Election: Democrats Win Big

ABINGTON, PA — The shape of the Abington Township Board of Commissioners was determined on Tuesday, as 12 candidates competed for six open seats.

It was a big night for Democrats in the township, as they won five of the available six seats, according to unofficial results. The projected winners of each race include:

• Ward 1: Tom Hecker (D), 883 votes over Christina Baker (R), 443 votes
• Ward 3: Drew Rothman (D), 1,112 votes over Bob Kumor (R), 585 votes
• Ward 5: Wayne Luker (D), 763 votes over Ron Holt (R), 122 votes
• Ward 7: Stuart Winegrad (D), 894 votes over Paul Morse (R), 406 votes
• Ward 9: Dennis Zappone (R), 644 votes over Dave Corrigan (D), 610 votes
• Ward 13: Bill Bole (D), 688 votes over Carol Gillespie (R), 619 votes

In only one case was an incumbent ousted, and it was the closest race, in which Bole defeated Gillespie by less than 60 votes, according to unofficial results.

11:04 p.m.

The next projected winner in Ward 3 is Democrat Drew Rothman, who has defeated Republican Bob Kumor convincingly, 1,112 to 585.

Unofficial results are also in for Ward 5, where Democrat Wayne Luker has defeated Republican Ron Holt, 763 to 122.

In Ward 13, a very narrow tight race went to the Democrats, as Bill Bole defeated Carol Gillespie, 688 to 619.

10:40 p.m.

Another projected winner is in: Democrat Stuart Winegrad has defeated Republican Paul Morse Jr. in Ward 7, 894 to 406.

10:14 p.m.

Unofficial results show a pair of winners already in the Abington Township Board of Commissioners race.

In Ward 1, Democrat Tom Hecker earned 883 votes to defeat Republican Christina Baker, who earned 443.

And in Ward 9, Republican Dennis Zappone is the projected winner, defeating Democrat Dave Corrigan in a tight contest, 644-610, according to unofficial results.

9:52 p.m.

One of three precincts have reported in Ward 1. Democrat Tom Hecker leads Republican Christina Baker, 322 to 151.

In Ward 3, with two of three precincts in, Democrat Drew Rothman leads Republican Bob Kumor, 565 to 430.

In Ward 7, with two of three precincts in, Stuart Winegrad has a huge lead, 707 to 235, over Republican Paul E. Morse Jr.

In Ward 13, with two of three precincts in, Bole maintains a narrow 515-445 lead over Gillespie.

9:36 p.m.

In Ward 13, with one of three precincts reporting, Democrat Bill Bole narrowly leads Republican Carol Gillespie, 230 to 222.

9:30 p.m.

The first results are rolling in, and they're coming out of Ward 5.

Democrat Wayne Luker holds an early lead, winning big in one of the Ward's two precincts, with 378 votes. Republican Ronald Holt earned 49 votes.

8:40 p.m.

Polls officially closed in Pennsylvania at 8 p.m., and a tally of votes is underway.

As of 8:40 p.m., no Montgomery County precincts had yet reported results.

Return to Patch for results as they come in. Subscribe to free news alert for election results to your inbox.

The race will features challenges to three incumbent Democrats and two incumbent Republicans, as well as a race between a pair of newcomers in Ward 1.

There were six township commissioner races being contested:

• Ward 1 - Democrat Tom Hecker (replacing Steven Kline on the ballot) vs. Republican Christina Baker
• Ward 3 - Democrat Drew Rothman (incumbent since 2016) vs. Republican Bob Kumor
• Ward 5 - Democrat Wayne Luker (incumbent since 1992) vs. Republican Ronald Holt
• Ward 7 - Democrat Stuart Winegrad (incumbent since 2019) vs. Republican Paul E. Morse Jr.
• Ward 9 - Democrat Dave Corrigan vs. Republican Dennis Zapone (incumbent since 2000)
• Ward 13 - Democrat Bill Bole vs. Republican Carol E. Gillispie (incumbent since 2009)

The Board of Commissioners is comprised of 15 representatives from across the township.